Constant changes in equipment, gluing methods, and training
methods have had a large effect on the evolution of styles
within our sport. The decade of the nineties has seen the
decline of two styles, the passive chopper and the passive
half-distance topspin player. In their place, a stronger more
balanced attacking style has emerged, the All-Round Attacker.
This can be seen in both shakehands and penholder versions, with
the penholder version incorporating the new reverse penholder
backhand loop technique. Recently, the switch to the 40mm ball
has changed both stroke techniques and tactics; and even now,
playing styles are evolving quickly to take full advantage of
the new ball’s playing characteristics. Table Tennis is an
ever-evolving sport that requires both coaches and players to
constantly update their knowledge.

The purpose of this article is to examine the eight styles
currently in use at the World Class Level. If you are uncertain
of your style or wish to better identify which style is best for
you, then please read What Style Should
You Play. These styles include:

This
series of articles will provide you with the strengths and
weaknesses of each style, along with some suggested robot
drills to help you develop your game. In reading the
descriptions you may find that your personal style will have
attributes from more than one. However, you should be able to
recognize your dominant style ("A" style) and your secondary
style ("B" style). Each article will also give you some
suggestions on tactics to use against the other styles of
play. Hopefully the style descriptions will serve as a guide
in analyzing your own

Attacker — Shakehands
Hitter

Description:

Like
their Penholder counterparts, this style generally stands
within three feet of the table. This style is forehand
dominated and all ball contact is on the rise or at the top of
the bounce. Unlike the Penhold Pips-Out Attacker, this style
will often open a point with a backhand drive. This style
often features a strong backhand counter-drive, hitting well
through opponent’s topspin shots. While still trying to
finish each point quickly, the Shakehands Pips-Out Attacker is
often content to maneuver the opponent out of position before
pivoting to end the point with a forehand kill.

There
are more penholder pips-out hitters than shakehands pips-out
hitters due to the ease of producing spin with the penholder
grip. The shakehand pips-out hitter can produce great speed
but has trouble generating much spin. Even so, the style can
be very successful. A great example of this style would be
Johnny Hwang from Canada.

Strengths:

Quick
pivot to use the forehand from backhand corner

Strong
forehand kills.

Strong
counter-driving techniques from the backhand side

Strong
backhand initial opening attack

Excellent serve and return game.

Forceful pace - gives opponent very little time to
react

Weaknesses:

Short
game (not as strong as the penhold hitter)

Forehand serve return. (they are often forced to go for
high risk shots due to a lack of a spin loop)

Against the Pips-Out Penholder Attacker: Keep your
serves short to the opponent’s backhand side. In
addition, serve deep to the backhand, cutting the sideline of
the table and attack the return. Also, occasionally serve deep
to the forehand. Your grip should give you an advantage in
backhand-to-backhand play. Pin your opponent in his/her
backhand corner as much as possible. When returning serves
long, play to the deep corners.

Against the Inverted Looper Attacker: Use mostly
short mixed serves, with an occasional fast deep serve to the
opponent’s forehand side. Do not allow the Inverted
Looper to turn you into a blocker, hit through the topspin as
much as possible. Also, attack down the line whenever possible
to keep time pressure on this opponent by making him/her play
at a faster pace than they are comfortable. Strong opening
attacks and fast returns to the opponent’s switchpoint,
if shakehands, will force him to back off the
table.

Against the All-Round Attacker: Keep most of your
serves short or at mid-depth. Follow your serve with a
forehand attack to keep the opponent on the defensive. Attack
often to your opponent’s middle. When returning serve,
use the flip often. The key to defeating this player is to
take away his confidence by forcing him to play more
defensively.

Against the Counter Driver: Use short serves
anywhere on the table with a deep fast underspin serve to the
backhand mixed in. Shot selection is the key to defeating the
counter driver. Do not over play your backhand. Use your
backhand counter down the line to force more
forehand-to-forehand play.

Against the Mid-Distance Aggressive Looper: Watch
out for this opponent’s strong opening spin. Attack
first and hit through his/her first loop whenever possible.
Keep your serves short and attack the middle. When the
opponent backs away from the table, mostly attack the backhand
side.

Against the Attacking Chopper: Keep your serves
mostly short with an occasional long serve to the
opponent’s backhand side. Whenever possible make your
first attack to the chopper’s middle and then attack
his/her backhand side. The goal here is to keep the chopper on
the defensive. Expect the chopper to third ball attack and
when he does, redirect his attack away from the side it came
from.

Against the Close to the Table Defender: Serve this
style mid-distance to long serves to the middle or backhand
side and attack their returns. Avoid long points by attacking
your opponent’s wide forehand early in the point. No
spin serves and pushes are often effective in forcing errors
or high returns.